Indonesia: More Conflicting Reports of Pig Deaths From `Hog Cholera'

#14,487

For nearly 3 weeks we've been following multiple reports of pig deaths in Indonesia (see here, and here) - a nation that is surrounded by countries reporting African Swine Fever outbreaks (see map above) - but as of yet, has not confirmed ASF themselves.

Tests are apparently still `pending', and most media outlets continue to call these outbreaks `Hog Cholera', which normally refers to Classical Swine Fever (CSF), not African Swine Fever. 

African Swine Fever (`Demam Babi Afrika' in the Indonesian Language), is barely mentioned on the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture Website (Kementan), with a single cautionary report published earlier this month indicating authorities are preparing for its potential arrival.

Over the weekend, however, there have been multiple media reports and a couple of government announcements - that while not exactly  confirming ASF - add to the suspicion that the viral culprit may be African Swine Fever.

On Friday, the Tobasa Kabupaten (District) website posted this (translated) announcement, which suggests ASF, although it falls short of announcing official test results.

October 25, 2019

Appeal Related Disease ASF government Toba Livestock Pigs

by Rikkardo Simamora

Society Toba Samosir (Toba) encouraged the pig disease ASF (African Swine Fever) are more prevalent.

The following appeal through the district government Toba Toba Head of Food Security, Darwin Sianipar, Friday (10/25/2019).

ASF disease is contagious and deadly disease in pigs caused by African swine fever virus.

ASF was originally brought from East Africa to Georgia by contaminated pork products such as sausages and meatballs, and spread to Japan, even in Japan has seized a packet of sausages from a traveler from China.

And now that virus to the countries of Asia and Indonesia, terkhususnya to Toba Samosir. Food Security Office of Toba Samosir appealed to all communities Toba Samosir for: Viewing and observe each animal the pig does have signs of swine diseases ASF (African Swine Fever).

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The following day the same regency released a report which describes an ASF-like outbreak, but never expressly names it.  

October 26, 2019

278 TAIL CATTLE PIGS IN Tobasa virus CHOLERA

by mctobasa

Balige, MC Tobasa- Regency (Regency) Toba Samosir (Tobasa) through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is very quick to respond to the rise of the death of pigs in several regencies / cities in North Sumatra province last few months, which has mengkwatirkan, disturbing and harmful to society in particular pig farmers and traders.

While the deaths of pigs that occurred in Dairi, Humbang Hasundutan, Medan, Deli Serdang, Karo, North Tapanuli, has reached 1,417 tails in early October 2019, stated Head of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, represented by the Head of Livestock Robert Aruan in office on Friday (10/25/2019).

Advanced Head Robert, cases of livestock deaths have occurred in the District Silaen Tobasa district. And to this day the number of deaths has reached 278 pig tails, and much more in a state hospital.

"The last condition pig deaths have occurred in the District Tampahan as much as 6 tails and District Balige 14 tails".

Head Robert Also explain that the disease is caused by a virus that is easily transmitted through direct contact with sick pigs, excretions and secretions of animals / fases, urine and semen stud. While Through indirect contact is through products derived from pigs, people in contact with sick pigs, equipment for stables, cattle contaminated freight cars (Swill feeding).

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While I can find no official confirmation (or OIE Report), a couple of media outlets have now started calling these outbreaks ASF. First, this (translated) report from Infopublik:

Livestock Disease Asian Pig Swine Fever Hit Tobasa

Sunday, October 27th, 2019 | 21:19 pm |

By MC KAB Toba Samosir

Balige, InfoPublik - Outbreaks of disease affecting pigs types of African Swine Fever (ASF) spread to almost all districts in Toba Samosir (Tobasa), North Sumatra.

The disease has signs of them, a high fever in cattle, lack of appetite, vomiting and difficulty breathing, diarrhea and paralysis and difficulty walking, and raised spots spots around the thighs, abdomen and neck pigs.

In response to this situation, the Government of Toba Samosir through the Department of Food Security and the Department of Agriculture issued an appeal to the public to be able to watch and observe each animal, and report to the relevant department if it is found that attack symptoms to be given a minimum of anticipatory action to minimize the risk.

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And this one from Faseberita:

Beware of breeders Advised ASF Virus Spreading

Tobasa, FaseBerita.ID - Outbreaks of swine disease known as African Swine Fever (ASF) is estimated to have arrived in Asia, including Indonesia. ASF disease is contagious and deadly disease in pigs.

It is directly addressed by the Government of Toba Samosir (Regency Tobasa) through the Food Security Agency (Ketapang). Where the Head of Darwin Sianipar Tobasa appealed to all communities in order to observe and examine every cattle feed pigs, is already contracted deadly.

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Other media reports, such as this one dated today from Sinar Indonesia, suggest ASF could be the cause, but caution that:

"We have not been able to conclude whether for HOQ Cholera virus or other viruses. We are still waiting for lab results that have been sent to the Center of Animal Husbandry in Medan and Bogor," he explained.

The jury may still be out, but ASF continues to be a prime suspect.

Indonesia is primarily a muslim country, but produces roughly 8 million pigs a year, primarily for consumption by ethinic Chinese and Christian tribes. 

While the economic impact of ASF in Indonesia would be limited compared to that sustained by larger pork consuming nations, its arrival would signal yet another substantial geographic expansion of the disease.

Stay tuned.